Soccer Man

Sour Grapes

A friend, a good friend, called me today and surprised me with the news that she was a little angry with me. She had heard through the grapevine that I had said something unkind about her child. My heart sank; not only do I love this friend, but I adore her child, who is a frequent and much-loved playdate for Calder. What she heard had either been grossly misconstrued or wrongfully embellished in the manner of the old game of “telephone” -- but still, my friend had spent part of her day wondering why someone she knew and trusted had betrayed her child’s sweet spirit in this way. Thankfully, she is an understanding and patient friend, and we were able to untwist what had happened and repair the rift. I am grateful to her for her kindness in the face of my horrified tears, but I’m really pissed that this town so often misuses its grapevine. No one ever calls to say “Hey! I heard from xxx that yyy said you looooooved my Oscar gown the other night.” or “She told me that he told her that you said I make the best blintzes. Thanks for the compliment!”

Instead, word of how I tripped and fell flat on my face and yelled “SHIT” in the children’s section of the library is dinner conversation at warp speed.

Stupid grapevine. The least it could do is produce a decent Pinot.

Thank you A, for being the wonderful friend that you are. Give those kiddos a squeeze for me, I love them like crazy!

Well, that was fast.

Snowman down.

Snow Day!

This was the view from my window this morning -- we've had such a strange winter here in New England. Normally by this time of year everyone is weary of the snow, but since it's been so warm, and the snowfall well below average, it was a real treat to see the trees covered with a layer of the white stuff today. Unfortunately, it's warming up and everything is beginning to melt, but for now I'm enjoying the view.

Good music for today:
"Snow Day" by Matt Pond PA

Zen and the art of not being pissed off

Ever since my whole ordeal started, I've been trying to find a way to get over the lingering urges to punch Matt in the face (or in another part of his anatomy, although that could sour my chances in the event that things work out…). I don't like being angry all the time, whether justified or not -- it doesn't feel healthy and is deepening my wrinkles. I've been doing a ton of research on buddhism; not because I want to become a Buddhist, but because I am desperately in need of the wisdom these peaceful and loving individuals use to get through the trials of life. I found a wonderful book at the library, by Pema Chodron. It's called "The Places that Scare You," and it is chock-full of nuggets such as this:

"Suffering is the result of an aggressive mind. Even slight irritation causes us pain when we indulge in it. This is the time to ask 'why am I doing this to myself again?'…We begin to recognize that we have what it takes to cut through our habit of eating poison."

I'm off to be peaceful now.

I took these this morning at the beach. It's still pretty chilly, but once we'd been walking for a bit, it warmed up. The sun was a brilliant blue. It almost makes me believe winter's over…